My Martini...

[Ken Smith]

Is anyone listening here? Please feel free to comment. No experience required.

The Martini just went under the knife today. The original Neck came out of its Block for a Graft job and the Top came off for some interior work needed as well.

This may well be as I suspected, Martini's first Bass made right after World War I (labeled 1919). Arnold called me in the morning with some interesting findings. First off, the Neck Block/Neck joint is a 'hidden' dovetail! Yes, an Italian Bass with a dovetail joint. When the Top came off, it was more obvious as it was covering the joint. This will of course be corrected. The new Neck will sit in a slightly deeper 'mortise' joint of the same Block that will be re-cut. Unfortunately, those original Oppio (Italian Maple) shoulder caps on the Neck in matching wood will have to be replaced. One of them was totally worm eaten inside. It will be replaced in Ebony most likely.

The Back is very thick but it's a softer Oppio wood like the Ribs, Neck and Scroll so its' not a big deal. The bottom Block however is way bigger than it needs to be so it will be cut down to a more reasonable size. The Bass also needs much of its Linings replaced and quite a bit of half-edge work as well before replacing the Top.

The original Job it went in for was not a small one as I wanted 'everything' cleaned up. The cost after these discoveries of extra work needed will only increase the job by about 10-15% of what was originally estimated.

Being this is one of my favorite Basses to play despite its younger age comparatively speaking, I want whatever is best for it.

[Aren Winebrenner]

Will you be posting any pics of the work in progress? I'd love to see the action as it develops!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Aren Winebrenner

Will you be posting any pics of the work in progress? I'd love to see the action as it develops!

That depends on Arnold. He's the one doing the work. The bottom block is getting trimmed. A few pieces of inner linings are being replaced touching the Top/Rib joint. A rear soundpost patch touching the Back is being added. The Back is made in 3 pieces and one of the joints is within a few inches of the soundpost. As with all roundbacks, the post in the tighter winter months push the Back out over time. This was repaired but the joint is just slightly visible. Arnold will fix this cosmetically as it's even too small to get a thin shim inside it. The rear post patch is a corrective measure so after the back seam is repaired cosmetically, it stays that way. The Neck block is being modified from a hidden dovetail to a mortise. The Neck is getting its first graft into the original Scroll which is now 88-89 years old (depending on the month the Bass was completed in 1919). This and a few other things are on the restoration menu.

In my opinion, it is not all that exciting to document. When the Bass is done, it will be re-photographed for the Website. Other than the Neck Graft and a bit or Varnish touch-up, the Bass will mostly look the same as it did before.

It is totally up to Arnold if he wants to spend time taking and posting pics. I have 2 other much bigger restorations waiting for his bench so I personally would rather he spend his time on the Bass and not on the camera.

[Brian Glassman]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

That depends on Arnold. He's the one doing the work. The bottom block is getting trimmed. A few pieces of inner linings are being replaced touching the Top/Rib joint. A rear soundpost patch touching the Back is being added. The Back is made in 3 pieces and one of the joints is within a few inches of the soundpost. As with all roundbacks, the post in the tighter winter months pushes the Back out. With this Bass, it is making it difficult to keep the outer side of the joint closed as the post is pushing on it slightly from the inside. The rear post patch is a corrective measure so after the back seam is closed, it stays closed. The Neck block is being modified from a dovetail to a mortise. The Neck is getting its first graft into the original Scroll which is now 88-89 years old (depending on the month the Bass was completed in 1919). This and a few other things are on the restoration menu.

In my opinion, it is not all that exciting to document. When the Bass is done, it will be re-photographed for the Website. Other than the Neck Graft and a bit or Varnish touch-up, the Bass will mostly look the same as it did before.

It is totally up to Arnold if he wants to spend time taking and posting pics. I have 2 other much bigger restorations waiting for his bench so I personally would rather he spend his time on the Bass and not on the camera.

I saw it on Arnold's table when I was there today. Too bad I didn't take my camera. A beautifaul bass to be sure. Other than that worm damage you mentioned it looks totally clean inside. Arnold is doing a beautiful job on those inner linings.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Brian Glassman

I saw it on Arnold's table when I was there today. Too bad I didn't take my camera. A beautifaul bass to be sure. Other than that worm damage you mentioned it looks totally clean inside. Arnold is doing a beautiful job on those inner linings.

Brian, now you have seen more of my Martini than I have. I guess I will have to run up there before the Top goes back on. That is, unless someone takes a bunch of Pics and emails them to me or/and posts them here in the forum.